Piano



May 12, 1931. R. J. SCHMUDE 1,804,568

PIANO Filed Feb. 237. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l a 59 .76 I Z May 12, 1931 R.J.- SCHMUDE 1,

PIANO Filed Feb. 27, 1930 2-Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1931 EUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT J. SCHMUDE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS iPIANO" Application filed February 27,1930. Serial No. 431,821.

1 proved type of string plate.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from theconsideration of the following detailed description taken with theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view showing thefeatures of my invention applied to a grand piano. 7 Figure 2 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2 2 ofFig- 2Oure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

' Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In accordance wi h the general features of my invention, I support thebridge over which the strings pass so as to avoid direct "bearingthereof on the sounding board. More specifically, I form the bridge aspart 'of the string plate. Means is provided for transmitting soundvibrations of the strings to the sounding board through the bridge as iscustomary. I can, of course, make use of a single sounding board withwhich the A 35 bridge has direct physical contact, but I prefer the useof a double sounding board with an opening in the board closest to thebridge through which the sound waves passto be resonated between the twoboards by means 0 of'the direct resonating effect of the boards similarin character to that obtained by the use of only a single board.

Referring now to the drawings where the invention is shown applied to agrand piano, I employ a suitable wooden frame including the members 10,11 and 12 'with a lower sounding board 13 and an upper sounding board 14connected at their edges to the frame members 11 and 12. As Fig. 2shows,

I 50 the sounding board is of slightly reduced the purpose of regulatingthe tension of the bridge, this opening also area as compared to thestring plate shown above the same, such string plate indicated generallyby the character A being secured between the frame members 10 and 12.Full details of the frame section are not given as this may be modifiedgreatly and is not re quired to be shown in order to understand theinvention. The string plate includes a tuning pin section 16 immediatelyabove the frame portion 10 with openings therethrough for the pas sageof tuning pins 17, such tuning pins being threaded into the woodenframe'in the usual manner so that they can be turned for strings. At theopposite side of the string plate there is a hitch pin section 18 havinghitch pins 19 secured therein by driving fit,

as is usual. in the art. The space between the tuning pin section andthe hitch pin sec- 1, tlon is largely open and is connected by ribs 21and 22 and by a Y-shaped rib23 including the bifurcations 23a and 28b.Bifurcation 23b is joined to an intermediate portion of the rib 22 whilethe bifurcation 23a extends on to and is connected with the base stringsection as will be hereinafter described. Immediately adjacent the hitchpin section and paralleling the same substantially throughout is abridge 24 over which the? strings pass. This bridge is madeup in theusual Way to support the strings and receive vibrations therefrom. Asuitable form is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein guide pins 2626 areprovided for the strings with a top layer .of felt 27 for dampening thevibrations of portions of the stringwhich are not designed to producesound. Thebridge is supported throughout its length by the cross orreinforcing ribs extending from the tuning 0 .ran-g'ement, an opening 28is provided in the top sound board extending partly under theparalleling the bridge throughout its length. I

For affording a positive support for the w strings at the tuning pinsection without any possibility of incurring objectionable vibration atthe ends, I employ a depressor bar 29 extending the full length of thetuningpin section and parallel thereto, this bar being connected to theribs 21, 22 and 23 and split up into a number of sections thereby. Itslower edge is below the level of the tuning pin section, as shown inFig. 3 and a relatively narrow lower edge 29a is provided for theseating of the strings. A corresponding edge 16a is also provided forthetuning pin section.

In order to keep a piano within reason-able dimensions, the strings aregenerally superposedin two or more layers or sections, and thesevaregenerally known as the treble and bass string sections. I have provideda similar construction wherein the treble strings G pass under thebassstrings D and the string plate is designed and constructed to supportthe treble and bass strings in suchsuperposed positions. I For the bassstrings, ahitch pin section 31 is provided with a bridge .32, an opening33 being provided in the top sounding board 14 immediately below thebass bridge 32. The bass hitch pin section and bridge are supported byribs34 and 36, the rib 36 being a continuation of the rib 22 but runningat an obtuse angle to the rib 22, the connection being made just afterthe rib 22 passes the ztreble string bridge, the treble hitch pinsection 18 extending into the obtuse angle formed by the ribs 22 and 36.This construction affords a maximum of strength and leaves ampleclearance, etc, for the passage of'the strings. The rib 34 is relativelyshort,

extending from the bass hitch pin section to the treble bridge, theportion34ca near the treble bridge being tapered down :to make asuitable clearance for the passage of the'treble strings. A treble hitchpin section 37is provided for the longer of the treble strings, thishitch pin section being supported between the ribs3- l and 36. Stillanother hitch pin section 38 is provided for the. longest of the treblestrings, this section being supported biitweeu the end of the rib 23aand the rib 34, v and by the tapered portion of the rib 34. In "order toaid in imparting ample strength to "this portion of the string plate, areinforcing or strengthening rib 4:1 is provided extenda continuation ofthe rib 23a,-a cross rib 39 ing from the extreme end of the tuning pinsection and connecting to a mid-pointof the rib 23a. Still anotherstrengthening rib 4C2 extends from the rib41 at a pointwhe-re it joinsthe rib 23a and runs overthe edge of the string plate. The rib 41 isdirectly in line with the rib 34 and both are parallel to the bassstrings, while the rib 23b is in line with the rib '36 and is alsoparallel'to thev bass strings. A tuning pinsection 43 for the bass.

strings is provided inline with the treble tuning pin section 16. Atriangular brace 4:4: is provided between the bass tuning pin sectionand the treble tuning pin section and connects with the bifurcated rib23 so as to impart the necessary reinforcing or strengthening ofthelplate in the direction in which the strings pul It will be observedthat the ribs ingeneral are parallel with the strings, but wherethetreble and bass strin s are superposed at an angle to each other, thetwo ribs 230. and 23b occurring as bifurcations of the rib 23 cannot beparallel with both sets of strings. I accordingly pass the strings underthese members, so shaping them that ample clearance is afiorded, as Fig.2' illustrates. The treble strings pass under the rib 23?) while thebass strings pass under the rib 23a.- Clearance is maintained betweenthetwo sets of strings, thebass string being above the treble strings.

This is accomplished in part by raising the bridge 32 above the level ofthe treble string bridge. A bass string depressor bar 46 is provided asa continuation of the treble string depressor bar but is so shaped thatits lower string engaging edge 46a is above the-corresponding point onthe treble string depressor bar. In Fig. 2 I have dotted in the positionof the treble string depressor bar in order to show a continuationof-the treble strings which are shown below the bass strings in thisview.

I have described the main structural features of my invention, includingthe tuning pin section, hitch pin sections, bracing ribs, etc. Now, inthe construction of a string plate of this character, any suitable manutfacturing means may be used. I prefer, however, to cast the string plateas a unitary structure employing, preferably, a relatively lightweightalloy capable of producing the necessary strength. Constructed in thisway, the string plate has integral peripheral connecting portions whichmay take various specific shapes and which I do not deem'it necessary todescribe here in detail. I may say, however, that I prefer a ribconstruction at the outside of the shortest treble strings, as Figure 1shows. I

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina piano, a sounding board, a plurality of strings, a string plateincluding means for supporting and tensioning the strings, and a bridgeover which the strings are extended supported entirely by the stringplate, sounds produced by the strings being resonated by the soundboardwithout direct contact therewith.

2. In a piano, a sounding board, a plurality of strings, a string platefor supporting the strings at proper tension, and 1a bridgewith whichthe strings contact, supported entirely by said string plate. 7

ing the strings at proper tension, and a bridge for said strings builtintegral with the string plate to relieve the sounding board of thetension of said strings and bridge.

4. In a piano, a string plate, a plurality of strings supported thereby,a bridge over which the strings lay supported by the string plate, and adouble sounding board in the form of a pair of parallel boards, oneimmediately adjacent the string plate and the second removed therefrom.

5. In a piano, a string plate, a plurality of strings supported thereby,a bridge over which the strings lay supported by the string plate, and adouble sounding board in the form of a pair of parallel boards, oneimmediately adjacent the string plate and the second removed therefrom,said sounding board immediately adjacent the string plate having anaperture for the passage of sound Waves produced by the strings.

6. In a piano, a pair of sound boards parallel to, but spaced from eachother, a plurality of strings, a string plate to which the ends aresecured, and a bridge With Which an intermediate portion of the springscontact, an opening being provided in the sound ing board adjacent thebridge and said opening extending substantially the full length of thebridge partly underneath the same.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day ofFebruary, 1930.

ROBERT J. SGHMUDE.

